Kevin Freiheit: Up against the wall If you thought the Sabres struggled this past season, they may have an even tougher time come October. The Sabres are rebuilding, but their Conference opponents have improved.

Sabres will have a tough season.

ya know , if Pittsburgh knocks off Boston in the Playoffs , it would only happen in the Conference final, as its division v. division until then , so Im assuming that not everyone is wanting that senario ..........

And the 1st overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft goes to..

ya know , if Pittsburgh knocks off Boston in the Playoffs , it would only happen in the Conference final, as its division v. division until then , so Im assuming that not everyone is wanting that senario ..........
- Sabre4life

Good point.
I keep forgetting about the new potential playoff scenarios.

ya know , if Pittsburgh knocks off Boston in the Playoffs , it would only happen in the Conference final, as its division v. division until then , so Im assuming that not everyone is wanting that senario ..........
- Sabre4life

That's not necessarily true. Only the #2 and #3 seeds in each division are guaranteed to play each other in the first round. So say Pittsburgh wins their division and Boston finishes 4th in ours and qualify for the playoffs as a 'wild card'. Depending on points they could play in the 1st round.

If we keep Vanek and Miller (ugh), I see us finishing 6th, just ahead of Tampa & Florida
If we trade them (yes, please!), we finish 8th and pick in the top3 of next years draft!
Sam Reinhart would be my target. Plays hard, and great bloodlines with his two brothers & father

Side note,
Setogucci traded for a pick.... To make room for Vanek?
We'd still have to take Heatley, and pay part of Vanek's salary...
Why hasn't it happened yet?
Bc I'm sure Darcy is demanding Granlund or Coyle, plus other assets...
Hopefully the Wild will give in,
But if not, a deal centered around Zucker could work too with anothe prospect or two & a pick or two added (something like the Pominville deal?)

If we keep Vanek and Miller (ugh), I see us finishing 6th, just ahead of Tampa & Florida
If we trade them (yes, please!), we finish 8th and pick in the top3 of next years draft!
Sam Reinhart would be my target. Plays hard, and great bloodlines with his two brothers & father

Side note,
Setogucci traded for a pick.... To make room for Vanek?
We'd still have to take Heatley, and pay part of Vanek's salary...
Why hasn't it happened yet?
Bc I'm sure Darcy is demanding Granlund or Coyle, plus other assets...
Hopefully the Wild will give in,
But if not, a deal centered around Zucker could work too with anothe prospect or two & a pick or two added (something like the Pominville deal?)
- jdfitz77

I'm assuming we CBO Heatley after the trade?

Kevin Freiheit: Up against the wall
If you thought the Sabres struggled this past season, they may have an even tougher time come October. The Sabres are rebuilding, but their Conference opponents have improved.
- KevinJames

Just grab Grabo and Brunner today and hopefully trade Miller before the season starts.

Just grab Grabo and Brunner today and hopefully trade Miller before the season starts.
- leonwaldo420

Those are the two moves I'd make in FA and I hope we do that.

And the 1st overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft goes to..
- Enzomatic

The Panthers.

The Panthers.
- sippyd

Not knocking Buff here but im thinking the Panthers are a better team heading into the season then Buff is..It would be stupid to underestimate the Panthers,last year they were riddled with a ton of injuries and i dont think this year will be the same as last..Sorry but i pick Buff as the bottom team this year..Its a rebuild so it could be for the better..

If we keep Vanek and Miller (ugh), I see us finishing 6th, just ahead of Tampa & Florida
If we trade them (yes, please!), we finish 8th and pick in the top3 of next years draft!
Sam Reinhart would be my target. Plays hard, and great bloodlines with his two brothers & father

Side note,
Setogucci traded for a pick.... To make room for Vanek?
We'd still have to take Heatley, and pay part of Vanek's salary...
Why hasn't it happened yet?
Bc I'm sure Darcy is demanding Granlund or Coyle, plus other assets...
Hopefully the Wild will give in,
But if not, a deal centered around Zucker could work too with anothe prospect or two & a pick or two added (something like the Pominville deal?)
- jdfitz77

Teams are still looking for a top 6 player. Teams like Edmonton with cap space that missed out on Clarkson and were left with a hole in their top 2 lines. Edmonton is stocked with young players, especially D men who are ready to play. It is not a quick fix as these are rookies but in terms of rebuilding, it is better than holding part of Vanek's salary. That is just one example. Calgary was also on the outside looking in yesterday. They have cap room and need a big name player. However Vanek wouldn't be playing with anyone good there.